Using virtual repository items for customized display

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a computer system performs a method for providing repository item information from one or more different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. A computer system accesses a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented. The computer system generates virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items. The computer system maps the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtualized sets comprise at least one of actual repository items and virtual repository items. The computer system presents the virtualized sets of repository items in one or more different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme.

BACKGROUND

Computers are used all over the world to perform a wide variety of tasks. Computers perform these tasks by executing software code. Software code is typically written by one or more software developers using some type of integrated development environment (IDE). In many cases, developers are given a set of design instructions, and, using a programming language, draft software code that will implement the functions described in the design specifications. Depending on the nature and scope of the design specifications (or any subsequent modifications thereto), the software program can be both large and complex.

Enterprise software programs, for example, may involve many hundreds or thousands of software files, each file designed to interact with other files within the program and externally with other software programs and/or operating systems. Often, supplemental programs or databases are used to organize, search and maintain the metadata which describes the program and its files. Program metadata consists of information such as the structure of program components, behavior of those components, and other characteristics useful for organization and control. File metadata consists of information such as the date the file was last modified, the size of the file, the file's relation to other files within the software program, and other characteristics useful for organization and control.

Software programs such as repositories typically display and store a software program's files and their corresponding metadata together using an entity-property-value approach (also called the universal schema approach). For example, a repository might list the files alphabetically with the metadata alongside, each portion of metadata corresponding to the appropriate file. In such an example, the repository would list the file (i.e. the entity), each file property's name and a value for the property. Related files would, for example, be shown as a list of related files headed by the kind of relationship (e.g. files related to the file by an automatic generation process). This common entity-property-value approach, however, is cumbersome and ill-suited to providing a customized, user-centric approach. As well as being displayed to the user in this way the metadata is also stored in the repository in an analogous way as a table of entities, a table of property-value pairs and a table of relationship-first entity-second entity triples.

Furthermore, current software repositories typically allow a user (e.g. a developer) to search and/or browse all of the files and their corresponding metadata in the software program. Such search features, however, are only useful to a limited extent and lack many significant features. For example, in practice, repositories contain a wide variety of metadata and, often, the best way to display this metadata will vary between different metadata representations. Current software repositories typically only allow one method of displaying software metadata (i.e. the entity-property-value approach). Furthermore, current software repository search techniques are unacceptably slow and inefficient.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. In one embodiment of this invention, a computer system performs a method for providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. A computer system accesses a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented. The computer system generates virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items. The computer system maps the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtualized sets comprise at least one of actual repository items and virtual repository items. The computer system presents the virtualized sets of repository items in different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-cited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer architecture in which embodiments of the present invention may operate including providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example presentation scheme for providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are directed to providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. In one embodiment, a computer system performs a method for providing repository item information from different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. Next, a computer system accesses a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented. The computer system generates virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items. The computer system maps the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme. The virtualized sets include actual repository items and virtual repository items. Next, the computer system presents the virtualized sets of repository items in different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme. The embodiments of the present invention may comprise a special purpose or general-purpose computer including various types of computer hardware, as discussed in greater detail below.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise physical (or recordable type) computer-readable media including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Additionally, when information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is also properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer architecture 100 in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. Computer architecture 100 includes computer system 101. In some embodiments, computer system 101 may be configured to receive user-defined presentation scheme 105. User-defined presentation scheme 105 as may be any type of structure or layout for presenting information. In some embodiments, the structure or layout of scheme 105 is defined by one or more users. In other embodiments, the structure or layout may be defined by a programmer or manufacturer of a software program that uses such presentation schemes. A “presentation scheme,” as used herein, may describe any aspect of information layout or structure including where to display certain elements, how many to display, the order in which information elements should be displayed, placement of graphics (animated or static), text, headers, borders, embedded or otherwise incorporated media, or any other elements that can be presented to a user.

In some embodiments, user-defined presentation scheme 105 may be only partially customizable. For example, some elements of the presentation scheme 105 may be locked so as to be unavailable for changing. This may be beneficial for computer administrators who might want to ensure uniformity in the way certain information is presented to the users. In other embodiments, one or more of the layout or structural elements can be user-defined, up to and including all aspects of the presentation scheme.

Computers system 101 includes presentation scheme access module 110. In some embodiments, presentation scheme access module 10 may be used to access user-defined presentation scheme 105. For example, if a user defines and enters a user-defined presentation scheme 105 into computer system 101, presentation scheme access module 110 may be configured to receive and access the scheme 105. Furthermore, presentation scheme access module 110 may be configured to pass user-defined presentation scheme 115 to virtual repository item generation module 120. In some embodiments, user-defined presentation scheme 115 may be the same as user-defined presentation scheme 105, in which case scheme 105 is accessed by access module 10 and passed directly on to generation module 120. In other embodiments, presentation scheme access module 10 may access other user-defined presentation schemes that may have been stored on a hard drive or other storage medium and pass those accessed schemes on, represented in this example as user-defined presentation scheme 115.

Computer system 101 also includes virtual repository item generation module 120. In some embodiments, generation module 120 may be configured to receive user-defined presentation scheme 115 as well as actual repository items 125. A “repository,” as used herein, may be any type of information store such as a database, directory, system registry, or other means of storing various types of information. Actual repository items 125 may include, but are not limited to metadata for program files, file references, namespaces, base classes, interfaces, program settings, registry settings, or any other information item that may be stored in a repository. Virtual repository item generation model 120 may be configured to generate a virtual repository item based on the received user-defined presentation scheme 115 and actual repository items 125, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Generated virtual repository items 130 may be sent to repository item mapping module 135.

In some embodiments, repository item mapping module 135 may be configured to receive virtual repository items 130 and map virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items, as will be described in greater detail below. Mapping module 135 may send virtualized sets 140 to display device 145. In some embodiments, virtualized sets 140 may be sets of any types of information, paired or mapped by mapping module 135. For example, a virtualized set 140 may include an actual repository item and a virtual repository item. As one would appreciate, virtualized set 140 may include any combination of actual repository items and virtual repository items. Furthermore, virtualized sets may be customized according to user-defined presentation scheme 115. Display device 145 may be any type of device capable of displaying information. For example, devices capable of displaying text, graphics, motion pictures, or other types of information, including computer monitors, televisions, laptops, touch-screens or any other type of display come within the scope of display device 145.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 for providing repository item information from one or more different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme. The method 200 will now be described with frequent reference to the components and data of environment 100 as well as exemplary presentation 300 of FIG. 3.

Method 200 includes an act of accessing a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented (act 210). For example, presentation scheme access module 110 may access user-defined presentation scheme 105 that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented. In some embodiments, the user-defined presentation scheme uses monikers to refer to repository items and virtual repository items. As used herein, a “moniker” or “moniker family” can refer to any type of naming system or to a specific name. For example, a moniker that refers to a type of naming system may be a globally unique identifier (GUID). A moniker that refers to a specific name might be “Conic.Circle”, as listed under “Types” 310 in FIG. 3.

Method 200 includes an act of generating virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items (act 220). For example, virtual repository item generation module 120 may generate virtual repository items 130 for actual repository items 125 based on user-defined presentation scheme 105. Virtual repository items 130 may be generated for presentation along with actual repository items 125. In some embodiments, generating the virtual repository items 130 includes accessing an actual repository item 125 for use in generating the virtual repository item. For example, generation module 120 may access actual repository items 125 and determine which actual repository items are going to be displayed multiple times. For those actual repository items that are to be presented multiple times in the same presentation, generation module 120 may generate one or more virtual repository items corresponding to each actual repository item. This allows for the simultaneous display of actual repository items that otherwise would not be able to be displayed at the same time.

Method 200 includes an act of mapping the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein the virtualized sets comprise at least one of actual repository items or virtual repository items (act 230). For example, repository item mapping module 135 may map virtual repository items 130 to different virtualized sets of repository items 140 according to user-defined presentation scheme 115. Virtualized sets 140 may include at least one of actual repository items 125 or virtual repository items 130.

In some embodiments, virtualized set 140 includes at least one of a plurality of actual repository items 125, a plurality of virtual repository items 130 or a combination of actual repository items 125 and virtual repository items 130. For example, virtualized set 140 may include three actual repository items 125 and five virtual repository items 130 (note that these numbers were chosen arbitrarily and that any combination of numbers could be used). In this example, the five virtual as repository items 130 may represent two virtual repository items for two of the actual repository items, and one virtual repository item for the remaining actual repository item. Thus, in such an example, one, two or all three actual repository items may be presented as well as any one or more of the five virtual repository items. Furthermore, any combination of actual and virtual repository items may be presented. Note also that virtual repository items may be presented without presenting the corresponding actual repository item.

In some embodiments, a browser may be used to view virtualized sets. A browser may be any type of metadata viewer such as a hierarchical tree based browser, or other means of browsing information. As explained above, a virtualized set may include any combination of virtual and actual repository items. Such browsers may be capable of presenting any number of actual repository items, virtual repository items, or virtualized sets. In some embodiments, user-defined presentation scheme 115 may be scalable to include any number of virtualized sets. These sets and repository items may be browseable and/or searchable, as will be explained in greater detail below.

Method 200 includes an act of presenting the virtualized sets of repository items in one or more different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme (act 240). For example, computer system 101 may present virtualized sets of repository items 140 in one or more different perspectives within user-defined presentation scheme 115. In some embodiments, a computer system user may be able to dynamically restructure the presentation of the virtualized sets based on a modification of user-defined presentation scheme 105.

For example, a user may wish to display repository items in column 305 including the types 310 and namespaces 315 of “Shapes.dll.” If computer system 101 was previously configured to display the types 310 and namespaces 315 as a diagram, and the user wishes to display them as a categorized list, each item followed by its moniker 320, the user could specify such a display by modifying user-defined presentation scheme 105 and inputting the scheme 105 into computer system 101. Other presentation schemes may include formatted reports or formatted documents. Additionally or alternatively, as mentioned above, other presentation schemes may be stored on a hard drive or other storage medium accessible by computer system 101 and may similarly be modified to alter the presentation of virtualized sets 140.

In some embodiments, a user may desire to present virtualized sets 140 according to the namespace to which the actual repository item belongs. For example, if “Pentagon” and “Rectangle” belong to the namespace “Polygon” in FIG. 3, “Pentagon” and “Rectangle” can be presented as indented entries categorized under the namespace name “Polygon.” In other embodiments, the virtualized set entries may be presented paired with the namespace. For example, “Polygon.Pentagon,” “Polygon.Rectangle” and “Polygon.Triangle” may be presented as namespace-class name pairs under “Types” 310.

Computer system 101 may be used to efficiently search virtualized sets 140 by deferring the loading of providers and the execution of provider instructions until appropriate. “Providers,” as used herein, include any type of application programming interface or other means whereby information is accessed, searched, loaded, saved or otherwise manipulated. In some cases, users may desire to browse and/or search repository information. Such browsing and searching may be efficiently performed by deferring the loading of providers until deemed appropriate by computer system 101.

By not loading at least some of the providers, less information will be as accessed at browser startup time, thus ensuring a quicker startup time. Similarly, once the provider has searched and located one or more repository items, computer system 101 may defer the execution of provider instructions until appropriate. For example, a browser's interface may have various buttons that allow access to different operations that may be performed using the retrieved repository information. Although the provider has retrieved information regarding the repository items and provided instructions on how the information is to be used, the execution of the instructions may be deferred until actuated by a user and/or until deemed appropriate by computer system 101.

In some embodiments, a repository information browser may include custom search panels. Such search panels may allow a user to specify various types of information that the browser and/or provider may use in searching repository information. For example, a search panel may allow searching based on accessibility, base classes, interface, namespace, size, modification date or other characteristics. Computer system 101 may also allow users to add various other characteristics to search by. In some embodiments, a user search queries actual repository item providers to determine which is able to display a selected moniker. For example, if a user had chosen a moniker of [271f64d9-7bde-4091-990b-53f85934e820, 13], Provider X may respond that it is capable of displaying all monikers that start with “271f64d9-7bde-4091-990b-53f85934e820.” Thus, in this case, Provider X would be able to display all of the virtualized sets under “Types” 310 as each starts with “271f64d9-7bde-4091-990b-53f85934e820” and ends with a different number (e.g. “Polygon.Pentagon” ends with 13, “Polygon.Rectangle” ends with 12, and so on).

In such embodiments, multiple versions the same actual repository item may be simultaneously presented. For example, under item's moniker 320, notice that “Polygon.Rectangle” has the same GUID, followed by the same number (13) when listed under “Types” 310 as when listed under “Namespaces” 315. Thus, the “Rectangle” repository item may be presented in multiple ways at the same time as an actual repository item, a virtual repository item, or a combination of actual and virtual repository items mapped into virtualized sets and displayed on display 145.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

1. At a computer system, a method for providing repository item information from one or more different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme, the method comprising: an act of accessing a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented; an act of generating virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items; an act of mapping the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein the virtualized sets comprise at least one of actual repository items or virtual repository items; and an act of presenting the virtualized sets of repository items in one or more different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing an actual repository item for use in generating the virtual repository item.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the virtualized set comprises at least one of a plurality of actual repository items, a plurality of virtual repository items or a combination of actual repository items and virtual repository items.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-defined presentation scheme uses monikers to refer to repository items and virtual repository items.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein moniker families are identified by globally unique identifiers (GUID's).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the presentation perspectives comprises a diagram.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the presentation perspectives comprises a list, a formatted report or formatted document.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a user to dynamically restructure the presentation of the virtualized sets based on a modification of the presentation scheme.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtualized sets are presented according to the domain to which the actual repository item belongs.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a browser is used to view virtualized sets.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation scheme is scalable to include a plurality of virtualized sets.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising efficiently searching the virtualized sets by deferring the loading of providers and the execution of provider instructions until appropriate.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously presenting multiple versions the same actual repository item.
 14. A computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable media having thereon an application programming interface for providing repository item information from one or more different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable presentation scheme, the application programming interface comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of the computing system, cause the computing system to perform a method, the method comprising: an act of accessing a user-defined presentation scheme that describes a manner in which repository items are to be presented; an act of generating virtual repository items for actual repository items based on the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein virtual repository items are generated for presentation along with their actual repository items; an act of mapping the virtual repository items to different virtualized sets of repository items according to the user-defined presentation scheme, wherein the virtualized sets comprise at least one of actual repository items or virtual repository items; and an act of presenting the virtualized sets of repository items in one or more different perspectives within the user-defined presentation scheme.
 15. The application programming interface of claim 14, wherein the method performed by the interface further comprises presenting custom search panels.
 16. The application programming interface of claim 15, wherein search panels provide for searching by one or more of accessibility, base class, name, interface or namespace.
 17. The application programming interface of claim 14, wherein the method performed by the interface further comprises allowing a user to dynamically restructure the presentation of the virtualized sets based on a modification of the presentation scheme.
 18. The application programming interface of claim 14, wherein the method performed by the interface further comprises efficiently searching the virtualized sets by deferring the loading of providers and the execution of provider instructions until appropriate.
 19. The application programming interface of claim 18, wherein the method performed by the interface further comprises simultaneously presenting multiple versions the same actual repository item.
 20. A computer program product for implementing a method for presenting directory item information in multiple different perspectives using virtual repository items within a customizable display scheme, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable media having thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of the computing system, cause the computing system to perform the method, the method comprising: an act of receiving a customizable display scheme that represents a structure describing how directory items are to be presented within the scheme; an act of creating virtual directory items for actual directory items based on the customizable display scheme, wherein virtual directory items are created for displaying along with their actual directory items; an act of coupling the virtual directory items to different virtualized sets of directory items according to the customizable display scheme, wherein the virtualized sets comprise one or more of actual directory items or virtual directory items; and an act of displaying the virtualized sets of directory items in one or more different perspectives within the customizable display scheme. 